Channel your inner beach bum in one of Florida’s best seaside towns
Ranking Florida’s beaches by their beauty is about as straightforward as counting grains of sand — there are just too many. So let’s just say that the beaches of Panama City belong somewhere near the top. Stretching for 27 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, these picturesque strands of gleaming white sand and cerulean water set the scene for a smorgasbord of activities. Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, kiteboarding — if you can name it and it takes place in or near the water, chances are you can do it here. Strap on some scuba gear and dive one of the area’s shipwreck sites. Cast a line for red snapper or mahi mahi. Visit an uninhabited island to watch dolphins frolic in the surf. You won’t be bored after dark either; Panama City’s waterfront restaurants and bars buzz with live music from sunset till bedtime.
Florida’s year-round sunshine makes it easier to plan a vacation that’s safe for your family. Besides the innumerable outdoor activities, most restaurants and bars have alfresco seating, beaches and parks are open, and many businesses require customers to social distance and wear a mask. Of course, the situation is fluid, so get the latest on Panama City Beach’s COVID health and safety guidelines here, and use the KOALA COVID Tracker to find up-to-the-minute data on local transmission rates and health preparedness scores.
Where to Stay
Marriott’s Legends Edge at Bay Point
Situated just across the bay from St. Andrews State Park, Marriott’s Legends Edge at Bay Point is sandwiched between a placid lagoon on one side and rolling green golf courses on the other. Located within a gated community, it’s a quieter way to experience the Panama City area, while still being close to the beaches. On-site kid-friendly amenities like a giant chess set, playground, mini movie theater, and splash pad — not to mention the giant free-form swimming pool — make this resort popular with families.
Club Wyndham Panama City Beach
Good thing there’s a Starbucks in the lobby of Club Wyndham Panama City Beach: You’re going to need constant refueling to keep up with all the things to do in and around this oceanfront resort. The concierge will help you book watersports lessons and visits to Zoo World, Gulf World Marine Park, and Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Later, grab a cocktail at the resort’s own tiki bar, or mix up your own — all units have full kitchens and balconies facing the gulf. Be sure to set aside time for a long beach walk: The sand is right out front.
What Not to Miss
Photo courtesy of www.floridastateparks.org
In 1929, a hurricane stranded the Norweigian sailor Theodore Tollofson on what is now known as St. Andrews State Park. He must have liked it here, because he made it his home for the next 25 years, living out of his shipwrecked boat and earning the nickname “Teddy the Hermit.” No visit to Panama City would be complete without a visit to Teddy’s old stomping grounds. Find your own little lounging spot on the pristine beach, explore the indigenous plants of the dunes and pine forest, or go bird and butterfly watching (St. Andrews is a migratory stop for many recognizable species).
Best Authentic Eats
Given its location on the Gulf of Mexico, Panama City excels at fresh seafood. The locals love their oysters (the town is home to the U.S. oyster shucking champion, Honor Allen, who pops open a dozen a minute). The Panama City Oyster Trail is a well trodden map of oyster bars where you can gorge on these “hidden treasures,” as Allen calls them.
For something more substantial, try the famous fish tacos at Finn’s Island Style Grub, the grilled gator (a true local speciality) at Hunt’s Oyster Bar, or the seafood linguini — jumbo Gulf shrimp, scallops, and mussels sautéed in a saffron sauce with capers, tomato, and parmesan — at Saltwater Grill, a smart restaurant with a piano bar and ginormous 25,000-gallon saltwater aquarium that will keep you mesmerized all through dinner.
Best Locally Owned Shops
is a beachside shopping complex packed with more than 250 shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues — including brands you’ll recognize but plenty that you won’t. Shop on-trend womenswear at Brooklynn’s, handmade footwear at Gulf Coast Sandal Factory, silly souvenirs at Just Beachy, home and garden items at the Southern Living Store, and accessories and toys for your four-legged friends at Brooklyn’s Dog Boutique.
Best-Kept Secret
This being Florida, you’ll see lots of interactive dolphin tours advertised along Panama City Beach, but for a unique (and ethical) wildlife experience, visit Seacrest Wolf Preserve. The goal of this non-profit is to preserve the wolf, an animal that used to be found all over the United States, and is essential to the country’s ecosystems. Not only will you learn all about the wolves and how to help protect them, you’ll also get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pet and howl with the majestic creatures.
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